Niger Delta – Daily Life

Black Gold

Black Gold
Ed Kashi

Since oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956, over 400 billion dollars worth has been pumped out of these fertile grounds. The Delta, the third largest wetland in the world, has become the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria yet it remains the least developed area of the country. These images document daily life along the Niger Delta, its inhabitants and the conditions in which they live.

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  • In the rain-soaked, congested streets of Port Harcourt, a young man sells traditional potions for virility.

    In the rain-soaked, congested streets of Port Harcourt, a young man sells traditional potions for virility.

  • Crayfish are arranged on racks to prepare for drying in the fishing village of Finima.

    Crayfish are arranged on racks to prepare for drying in the fishing village of Finima.

  • With the Mobil Exxon Gas Plant across the water, fishermen arrive to drop their catches of bonga fish, gold fish, silver fish and crayfish.

    Due to pollution caused by the oil companies, the catches have decreased in quality and quantity. This has caused major problems of unemployment for the local young men. The local women haggle over the size and price of their purchases along the waterside.  This scene is in the fishing village of Finima, which is a newly relocated community caused by the rapid growth of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas plant on Bonny Island. None of the locals are given work within any of the gas and oil facilities on Bonny Island, which has caused widespread resentment and frustration.
  • In the fishing village of Finima, local men cut wood from the swamps to use for drying fish.

    Finima was relocated to make room for the Nigerian Liquefield Natural Gas plant on Bonny Island.
  • In the tiny village of Ubeji, which is an ethnic Itsekeri community near an NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Company) refinery,

    local laborers collect sand from the creeks to sell to contractors and large construction companies.
  • Just in from the sea, a catch of fish is sorted and prepared for drying on handmade wooden racks.

    Just in from the sea, a catch of fish is sorted and prepared for drying on handmade wooden racks.

  • Bathing in open, tin-rimmed enclosures like this one is the only way to wash in this poor community.

    While oil operations yield billions of dollars of wealth nearby, the people of Ogu and other communities like this it live in abject poverty with no running water, no sewage system and scant electricity.
  • Pictured here are outhouses on stilts, where the same waters are used for defecating, bathing, fishing and garbage.

    In Bonny town uncontrolled growth due to oil and gas development, has caused environmental chaos and degradation.
  • Local youths unload diesel fuel from a local wooden barge for use by the community.

    This is an improper way to be handling fuel and reflects the lack of proper facilities for the local communities.
  • A pregnant woman sells gas for motor bikes and cars on one of Okrika's main roads. 

    The town of Okrika is a regional center of oil activity and should be wealthy, but due to corruption by government officials and the local kings, the people see very little improvements in infrastructure or job opportunities. There is no running water or sewage and electricity in intermittent, yet billions of dollars of oil is pumped out of the local areas.
  • Roadside gas sellers in Ogoniland alleviate the constant closures of local gas stations due to shortages and strikes.

    Roadside gas sellers in Ogoniland alleviate the constant closures of local gas stations due to shortages and strikes.

  • Scenes onboard a big market boat as it makes the two hour journey from Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, to the little village of Ikibiri.

    Scenes onboard a big market boat as it makes the two hour journey from Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, to the little village of Ikibiri.

  • Workers push heavy barrels of gas up from the waterfront into the main market of Yenagoa, capital of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa.

    Workers push heavy barrels of gas up from the waterfront into the main market of Yenagoa, capital of the oil-rich state of Bayelsa.

  • In the resettled community of Finima, residents celebrate Funfu Ma Tie. 

    Funfu Ma Tie is a harvest festival that marks the break in the rainy season when people can harvest their crops and return to fishing.
  • In Uvwie, a local district of Warri, a funeral procession for Roseline Okotie, 63, is as festive as it is sad.

    Tradition says that if the deceased has lived a decently long life, then the community, family and friends should treat the person's passing as a celebration. If the deceased is young, then the mood is much more somber.
  • Unemployed youth play table tennis in Njemanze, a slum community along the waterfront in Port Harcourt.

    Areas like this are hotbeds of gang violence and extreme poverty that exemplify the lack of development and support for the local communities of the oil-producing Niger Delta. This community has no running water or sewage system, and unemployment among the restive youth is over 90 percent.
  • Kids play in the fishing village of Finima on Bonny Island.

    Kids play in the fishing village of Finima on Bonny Island.

  • Children play in the polluted waters off Bonny Island where the Nigerian Liquefield Natural Gas plant is located.

    NLNG's plant is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The fishing community of Finima was relocated to make room for this facility, and many residents of the island now live in its shadows in shantytowns.
  • With the Mobil Exxon Gas plant looming in the background, daily life for the displaced people of Finima moves at a slow pace.

    With the Mobil Exxon Gas plant looming in the background, daily life for the displaced people of Finima moves at a slow pace.

  • Overview of the main market in the old town of Port Harcourt.

    Given that this city is the center of Nigeria's rich oil industry, it's surprising how poor and damaged the infrastructure is.
  • Oil pipelines create a walkway for this young woman through the village of Okrika Town.

    Oil pipelines create a walkway for this young woman through the village of Okrika Town.

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Niger Delta – Daily Life

These images depict different aspects of the daily life of Niger Delta locals.

Niger Delta – Daily Life
Artist/Author: Ed Kashi

These images depict different aspects of the daily life of Niger Delta locals.